A Call to Arms for BERMUDIAN Future Sports Journalist
IslandStats.com
The time has come for Bermuda to make a concerted effort to cultivate and elevate its own talent within the realm of sports journalism. Having spent years climbing the media ranks and covering some of the world's most prestigious events—from the Olympics and Commonwealth Games to major regional tournaments like the Gold Cup and international rugby—one observation is consistently clear: Bermudian representation in the global press corps is often lacking.
While it has been a privilege to cover these events, reporting on international cricket, major games, and cups, the fact remains that for large portions of history, Bermudian stories, even those about Bermudian athletes, have largely been told by external voices.
I understand this suggestion may cause a minor ripple among some of my esteemed overseas journalist friends, whose professional expertise is invaluable. However, I believe the discussion now needs to focus inward, on the broad and exciting future we have already built on the island.
We must actively encourage young Bermudians who possess a passion for sport to get involved in the media profession.
The impact of a Bermudian reporter goes beyond merely recording scores. It ensures that the sacrifices, the unique challenges of training on a small island, and the cultural significance of both local and international triumphs are conveyed with a depth that only a local can provide.
It is time to invest in, mentor, and trust this next generation of storytellers. We must encourage them to step up to the mic, to command the press box, and to truly fly. The future of Bermudian sports coverage, and the inspiration it provides to future athletes, rests on them.
The presence of Bermudian sports journalists covering major sporting events, seeing a familiar face or hearing a local voice in the media centre of an international tournament can transform an abstract career dream into an achievable reality to pick up a pen, microphone, or camera.
1. Creating Accessible Role Models
The most powerful impact of a Bermudian journalist covering a major event is the creation of a relatable role model.
Validating the Career Path: Seeing a fellow Bermudian accredited at the Olympics, the Commonwealth Games, or a European football ground demystifies the profession. It breaks down the perception that such roles are exclusive to large international media centres, proving that skills developed on the island can compete globally.
Encouraging Engagement: Young people are more likely to pursue careers where they see people who look and sound like them succeeding. This visibility is a crucial first step in tackling the "I don't know where to start" barrier often cited by those interested in media careers.
2. Ensuring Authentic Local Storytelling
Local media professionals are uniquely positioned to understand the true context and emotional weight of Bermudian sporting narratives.
Cultural Nuance: A Bermudian journalist understands the specific sacrifices, triumphs, and challenges inherent to training on a small island. They can convey the deep cultural significance of events like Cup Match, or the personal journey of an athlete who overcame geographical limitations.
Shifting the Narrative: Their coverage ensures that local athletes, regardless of their international ranking, receive the attention and thoughtful analysis they deserve, which is vital for building community pride and inspiring younger athletes at the grassroots level.
3. Building the Island's Media Infrastructure
By participating in both local and international events, Bermudian journalists develop high-level skills and create invaluable networks that benefit the entire media ecosystem.
By supporting Bermudian talent in the media box, the island is actively investing in a future where its stories are told with passion, accuracy, and an authentic local voice.
Thursday, January 29, 2026
Bermuda Name Squad for Under-17 World Cup Qualifiers
IslandStats.com
The Bermuda Football Association (BFA) has officially unveiled the 21-member squad set to represent the island at the upcoming Concacaf Men’s Under-17 World Cup Qualifiers in Honduras.
The announcement marks the beginning of a vital campaign as the young team eye a spot in the expanded FIFA U-17 World Cup, which has now shifted to an annual format to provide consistent competitive exposure for emerging talent.
Bermuda has been drawn into Group H, where they will face a challenging route to qualification against Guyana, Suriname, and host nation Honduras. Under the current tournament regulations, only the winner of each group will punch their ticket to the World Cup finals, scheduled to take place in Qatar this November.
Head Coach Aaron Denkins, who recently transitioned from the under-20 women's setup to lead the under-17 men, believes the draw provides his side with a realistic path to success.
"This is the second of the yearly FIFA World Cups, and we are excited to participate again after hosting our group last year," said Denkins. "We have a foundation of players with experience at this level, and several are continuing their football journeys with overseas clubs. We are looking forward to doing well and qualifying for Qatar".
The team is scheduled to depart for a final training camp in Orlando, Florida, this Friday before traveling to Honduras for their opening fixtures.
Bermuda U17 Men’s National Team Roster:
Goal Keepers: Nuri Latham Curtis Jackson Ethan Adderley
Defenders: Amir Weller Milliun Hill Kayuri Tucker Joshua Smith
Midfielders: Amir Brangman-Johnson Deacon Wade Mateus Amaral Roman Wilkinson Rylan Desilva Tyler Steede Z-Ani Jennings Shiia Davis
Bermuda’s dreams of automatically advancing to the final round of the 2026 Concacaf Women’s Under-17 Qualifiers ended in agonizing fashion at the Flora Duffy South Field Stadium as a late Panama equalizer forced a 2-2 draw.
Panama Starting Line-Up: C. Aparicio, Y. Magallón, C. Ríos, K. Zapata, S. Mow, G. Distancia, I. Rendino (J. Alvarado 87th), A. Ortega, P. Wakefield (N. Zafrani 54th), A. Perez (V. Batista 54th), G. Rodriguez - Substitutes: - S. Gutiérrez, G. Chen, Y. Batista, N. Farberoff, R. Gabay, A. Potvin, A. Samudio - Bermuda Starting Line-Up: - Kyra Simmons, Antoinette Barry, Janiya Sealey (Amiya James 75th), Evans Welch (Mia Daponte 77th), Tayte Glasgow (Priya Dill 46th), Daley Outerbridge, Milan Gibbons-Thomas, Avery Taylor, Riley Khan, Zalaye Showers, Nila Samuels - Substitutes: - Semaj Baisden-Scott, Khloe Curling, Kiara Deane, Sydney Denkins, R-Zanee Evans-Waldron,, Cayli Dowling, Nadia Medeiros
In a high-stakes winner-takes-all encounter, Bermuda was just seven minutes away from a historic victory before the visitors salvaged the point they needed to progress as group winners. Both nations had entered the final matchday having dominated their previous opponents, but it was Panama’s resilient finish that ensured they maintained their superior standing in the table.
The contest began at a frantic pace, and Panama wasted little time in asserting their authority. The visitors were awarded a penalty in the eighth minute, which Shaday Mow composedly converted to silence the home crowd. Despite the early setback, Bermuda responded with impressive character and began to find joy through the wide areas. Their persistence was rewarded in the 17th minute when Daley Outerbridge found the back of the net to restore parity. The two sides traded blows for the remainder of the half, but neither could find a breakthrough before the whistle, leaving the match finely poised at the interval.
Bermuda manager Gary Adams made a tactical masterstroke at the break by introducing Priya Dill, and the substitute made an immediate impact. Within two minutes of the restart, Dill pounced on a loose ball to fire Bermuda into a 2-1 lead, sparking jubilant celebrations in the stands. As the clock ticked down, Bermuda’s defensive unit, led by goalkeeper Kyra Simmons, weathered a relentless storm of Panamanian attacks. However, the pressure eventually told in the 83rd minute when Cristabella Rios found space in the box to level the score at 2-2.
The officials signaled seven minutes of stoppage time, during which Bermuda threw everything forward in a desperate search for a winning goal. Panama’s backline held firm under immense pressure, navigating the closing stages with professional discipline to secure the draw.
While Bermuda finished the qualifying campaign unbeaten and with a positive goal difference, the result means Panama advanced to the next stage by virtue of their superior goal difference, leaving the hosts to hope they can advance as one of the second best finishers and also to reflect on what might have been after a valiant performance on home soil.
Suriname 3 Bonaire 0
Suriname ended their 2026 Concacaf Women's Under-17 Qualifying campaign on a high note, securing a comfortable 3-0 victory over Bonaire at the Flora Duffy South Field Stadium.
In the opening match of the final day for Group B, Suriname’s clinical second-half display ensured they finished their tournament with three points and a clean sheet.
After a tightly contested first half in Devonshire, Renessa Sajat broke the deadlock to provide Suriname with the lead. Sajat proved to be the difference-maker, doubling her tally later in the half with a composed finish to effectively put the result beyond doubt. Namiesha Lamafoe added a third to round out a dominant performance, leaving Bonaire without a win in the qualifying group.
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Bermuda U17 Women’s National Team Pathway to Next Round
IslandStats.com
Bermuda’s Under 17 Women’s National team head into Wednesday’s clash at the Flora Duffy South Field Stadium in a "winner-takes-all" position.
After two dominant performances—a 7-0 win over Suriname and a 7-1 victory against Bonaire—Bermuda sits in second place in Group B, trailing Panama only on goal difference.
To advance to the Final Round of the 2026 Concacaf Women’s U-17 Qualifiers, here is the roadmap for Wednesday night:
Scenario 1: The Direct Route (Victory)
Condition: Bermuda defeats Panama. Outcome: Bermuda finishes as Group B Winners. Result: They qualify automatically for the Final Round, joining the five other group winners and the four pre-seeded nations (USA, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico).
Scenario 2: The Calculation Route (Draw)
Condition: Bermuda draws with Panama. Outcome: Bermuda finishes in 2nd Place in Group B. Result: Their fate then rests on the "Best Runners-Up" table. Under the current format, only the two best second-place finishers across all six groups advance. Current Standing: With 6 points and a +13 goal difference, a draw would leave Bermuda with 7 points. While historically a strong tally, they would need to wait for results in Group A (Dominican Republic/Nicaragua) and Group C (Haiti/Guatemala) to ensure no more than one other runner-up exceeds their point total or goal difference.
Scenario 3: The Dangerous Route (Defeat)
Condition: Bermuda loses to Panama. Outcome: Bermuda finishes in 2nd Place with 6 points. Result: This makes qualification much more difficult. Several other groups feature teams likely to finish with 6 or more points as runners-up. Bermuda would need to keep the scoreline extremely close to maintain their +13 goal difference, hoping it remains high enough to secure one of the two "Best Runner-Up" slots.
Monday, January 26, 2026
Bermuda Breeze Past Bonaire to Maintain Perfect Start
IslandStats.com
Bonaire 1 Bermuda 7
Bermuda’s young stars continued their scintillating form in the CONCACAF Women’s Under-17 World Cup Qualifiers with a commanding victory over Bonaire at the Flora Duffy South Field Stadium.
Following a dominant seven-goal display against Suriname on the opening night, Bermuda knew the stakes were high after watching Group B rivals Panama dismantle Suriname eight-nil earlier in the day. The hosts responded to that pressure with clinical efficiency, asserting their dominance from the opening whistle to ensure they remain neck-and-neck at the top of the standings.
Bonaire Starting Line-Up: - S. Sint Jago, F. van Der Es, X. Saragoza, S. Mercera, L. Willems (M. Trenidad 77th), S. Janzen (R. Pers 58th), N. Janga, I. Prado, C. van Loo (S. Henriquez 87th), E. Den Boef (I. Boone 77th), G. Piar-Corneilla (G. Alberto 57th) - Substitutes: -, R. Sintjago - Bermuda Starting Line-Up; - Kyra Simmons, Antoinette Barry, Janiya Sealey (Amiya James 71st), Evans Welch, Tayte Glasgow, Daley Outerbridge (Cayli Dowling 71st), Milan Gibbons-Thomas (Nadia Medeiros 93rd), Avery Taylor (Mia Daponte 60th), Riley Khan (Priya Dill 60th), Zalaye Showers, Nila Samuels - Substitutes: - Semaj Baisden-Scott, Khloe Curling, Kiara Deane, Sydney Denkins, R-Zanee Evans-Waldron
The deadlock was broken after just seven minutes when Daley Outerbridge found the back of the net to settle any early nerves for the home crowd. Bermuda’s relentless pressure forced Bonaire into a defensive shell, and it was not long before the lead was doubled. Milan Gibbons-Thomas, who has been in inspired form throughout the tournament, struck in the 18th minute to further deflate the visitors. The one-sided nature of the contest continued as Outerbridge turned provider and finisher once more, claiming her second goal of the evening just before the half-hour mark to make it three-nil.
The floodgates remained firmly open as Nila Samuels added a fourth only two minutes later, showcasing the depth of attacking talent within this Bermudian side. Before the referee could bring an end to a bruising first half for Bonaire, Evans Welch ghosted into the area to fire home a fifth in the 37th minute. The hosts headed into the tunnel with a comprehensive lead, leaving Bonaire manager and players searching for answers against a side playing with immense confidence and tactical discipline.
Bermuda showed no signs of complacency upon the restart and needed less than sixty seconds to extend their advantage. Outerbridge completed a memorable hat-trick in the 46th minute, a performance that will surely catch the eye of scouts watching this qualifying cycle. The scoring continued in the 59th minute when Gibbons-Thomas notched her second of the match and her sixth goal of the tournament overall. That strike moved the scoreline to seven-nil and momentarily placed Bermuda in a position of total control.
Bonaire did manage to find a historic silver lining amidst the difficult result when they were awarded a penalty later in the half. Shaimairs Mercera stepped up to calmly convert from the spot, marking Bonaire’s first goal of the tournament. Bermuda now look ahead to a mouth-watering decisive clash with Panama to determine who will progress from the group.
Panama 8 Suriname 0
Panama continued their scintillating form in Group B of the Women’s Under-17 Qualifiers with a ruthless 8-0 demolition of Suriname at the Bermuda National Sports Center. The offensive onslaught was led by the duo of I. Rendino and G. Rodriguez, both of whom found the back of the net twice.
Y. Magallón and S. Mow both added their names to the scoresheet with well-taken strikes, G. Distancia also capitalized on the tiring Suriname defense to ensure the lead continued to swell. In the closing stages when N. Zafrani emerged from the bench to get in on the act.
